Ram Wonders Why the Crown Should Separate the Brothers
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 10
Doha 10 · Movement 1 of 2
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Vasishtha describes Ram's virtues and tells him that Dasharatha has prepared the coronation. Ram must observe the prescribed disciplines so Providence may bring the sacred work to completion.
After the guru leaves, wonder enters Ram's heart. The brothers were born together, ate and slept together, shared childhood games, ear piercing, sacred thread, and marriage. Why should the eldest alone receive a crown while the younger brothers are set aside?
The thought is beautiful remorse born from selfless love. Even honour creates discomfort when it appears to divide what affection has always held as one. Tulsidas turns Ram's inward hesitation into medicine that straightens the crooked places of the devotee's heart.
Before the crown touches him, Ram feels only the brothers from whom no honour could separate him.
Read the passage from the Manas
बरनि राम गुन सीलु सुभाऊ। बोले प्रेम पुलकि मुनिराऊ।। भूप सजेउ अभिषेक समाजू। चाहत देन तुम्हहि जुबराजू।। राम करहु सब संजम आजू। जौं बिधि कुसल निबाहै काजू।। गुरु सिख देइ राय पहिं गयउ। राम हृदयँ अस बिसमउ भयऊ।। जनमे एक संग सब भाई। भोजन सयन केलि लरिकाई।। करनबेध उपबीत बिआहा। संग संग सब भए उछाहा।। बिमल बंस यहु अनुचित एकू। बंधु बिहाइ बड़ेहि अभिषेकू।। प्रभु सप्रेम पछितानि सुहाई। हरउ भगत मन कै कुटिलाई।।
Describing Rama's virtues, His gracious nature and noble character, the sage-king Vasishtha spoke, his body thrilling with love. The king has prepared the coronation ceremony and desires to make you the crown prince. O Rama, observe all the prescribed disciplines today, so that Providence may bring this sacred work to a blessed completion. Having given this counsel, the Guru went to the king. A wondrous thought arose in Rama's heart: "All the brothers were born together. We shared meals, sleep, and childhood play. Ear-piercing, the sacred thread, and marriage: every celebration was shared together. In this pure and noble dynasty, there is one thing that seems unfitting: to crown the eldest while setting the younger brothers aside." O Lord, this beautiful remorse born of selfless love removes all crookedness from the devotee's heart.